Good points all. I agree with Mr. Ledyard in using "soft focus" and look not at the eyes, but around the upper center of the chest. Years ago when I practiced kenpo, my instructor told beginners to look into their opponents' eyes, mainly so the beginners wouldn't telegraph their movements and so they could determine if their opponents were telegraphing their movements. Later at the more advanced levels, we were taught to practice the "soft focus" around the chest. This enabled the individual to not be deceived or trapped by his opponent, and still be able to perceive movement from any part of the opponent's body - essentially with peripheral vision. Peripheral vision is much better at detecting motion than focused vision, as Mr. Ledyard points out.
That said, some of my seniors in our aikido dojo still tell me to look them in the eyes, but my preference is not to do so based on my previous experience.
I remember reading in one of Dave Lowry's books that in some of the koryu sword arts, the bugeisha were taught to watch their opponent's shoulders to detect movement.
I've also been told by some knife fighting experts that one should always watch the knife blade when faced with an opponent wielding a knife. This is because a skilled knife fighter can switch hands and grips very quickly, so you always want to know where that blade is.
I guess everyone has their opinons...
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